Friday, September 30, 2011

Three Beautiful Things This Week

Three Beautiful Things This Week was inspired by a wonderful blog that Clare writes called Three Beautiful Things. Everyday, Clare writes about 3 Beautiful Things that happen each day in her life. It's a wonderful blog! I can only hope to imitate her in a very small way.

1)  The race for a cure for multiple myeloma was a success  Nick was the 6th highest fund raiser at the race bringing in more than $2000 for research for multiple meyloma.  Thanks to all who donated to the cause! 

2) Jenny, Nick and I had a great time this weekend.  It was so good to be together as a family again!  Pixie enjoyed her time with Jenny's kitties.  Walter fell in love with Pixie again.  All in all, it was a great weekend!

3) Summer is slowly fading into autumn.  The trees are beginning to change color and loose their leaves.  Slowly, but surely, we will join the trees in dormancy as winter overcomes fall, but for now, we have the beauty of autumn. 

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Weekly Photo Challenge - Fall

It was a beautiful day in the neighborhood for a walk.
Here's what we saw!
Fall is in the air!

Just a  touch here and there!


Fading flowers!


Seeds dropped


Grasses withering.


Soon to be silent and barren.

Fall
f-a-l-l
Fall

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Some Days are Just Like This!

An Irish woman of advanced age visited her physician to ask his advice in reviving her husband's libido.

"What about trying Viagra?", asked the doctor.
"Not a chance", she said, "He won't even take an aspirin."
"Not a problem", replied the doctor, give him an Irish Viagra."
"It's when you drop the Viagra tablet into his coffee. He won't even taste it.
Give it a try and call me in a week to let me know how things went."
She thanked the physician and promised to follow up.

It wasn't a week later when she called the doctor, who directly inquired as to her progress. "The poor dear ah! It was horrid! Just terrible doctor!" cried the woman.

"Really? What happened?" asked the doctor.

"Well, I did as you advised and slipped it in his coffee and the effect was almost immediate. He jumped straight up, with a twinkle in his eye and with his pants a-bulging fiercely! With one swoop of his arm, he sent me cups and tablecloth flying, ripped me clothes to tatters and took me then and there passionately on the tabletop! It was a nightmare, I tell you, an absolute nightmare!"

"Why so terrible?" asked the doctor, "Do you mean the sex your husband provided wasn't good?"

"Twas the best sex I've had in 25 years! But sure as I'm sittin here, I'll never be able to show me face in Dunkin Donuts again!"

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Headpins and A Couple of New Things

I've started to make headpins again, but before I show them to you, because they aren't all listed yet, but they will be, I assure you, I want to show you a couple of fun new things!
Whew!  Now, I can breathe!
How about some chunky, faceted discs?
These would look great in a necklace, I think, but don't let my thoughts stop you!
The sky is the limit!
On my monitor, the outer layer of these discs looks pink, but it is not.  The color I used was dark ivory!
You can see a better photo of them here.
There you can see the edge is ivory and not pink!
Do you know what these are?  I'll tell you!  They are removable stitch markers for either knitting or crochet.
You will find them in my Etsy store very, very soon!
They would make a great stocking stuffer or a small gift for a fiber enthusiast!
Now, on to the headpins!  I will get them listed very soon!

I love these headpins!  I made them using dark annealed steel wire.  They remind me of Wild Berries and you can find them HERE!
I'll show you what I am going to list later this week!
Are you ready?

I don't know why, but I call these Chippers!  

Now here's a bit of orange!  I really like these.  The orange is not overwhelming!  It's just great!

Well, thanks for looking!  I hope to post more later!



Monday, September 26, 2011

Racing for the Cure: Multiple Myeloma, you don't know how much money was raised today to fight you!

Phelan Park has a beautiful lake in it!

There's Nick waiting in line to register for the race today.

There were lots of activities for everyone including vendors who made jewelry and gave all their proceeds to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.

This is what I bought! 

Nick was racing for Jenny again this year.  You can see more of the vendors in the back ground.

Nick's buddy, Bobby, also joined Nick in racing for the cure.

A lot of the teams had their own tents and were selling for research.

Here are Nick, Jenny, and Bobby just before the race started.

There are Nick and Bobby at the starting line!


I wish I could show you how long the line was for this run/race!  I  was so touched by all the people who came out to run or support those in the race!
Do you see the people in the blue shirts?  These are people with multiple myeloma who are walking in the race.


Nick and Bobby made good time in the run, although a 12 year old boy finished before them.

The race was over, and Nick was tired, but, approximately $160,000 was raised at this race for research for a cure for multiple myeloma!
And it was a gorgeous autumn day!

Saturday, September 24, 2011

I Heart Macro! Pets

I Heart Pixie Marie!


I Heart Marvin!


I Heart Marvin!

I Heart Macro!

Happy Saturday!

Friday, September 23, 2011

Three Beautiful Things This Week

Three Beautiful Things This Week was inspired by a wonderful blog that Clare writes called Three Beautiful Things. Everyday, Clare writes about 3 Beautiful Things that happen each day in her life. It's a wonderful blog! I can only hope to imitate her in a very small way.

1) The week has flown by!  Jenny had a lot of tests this week.  She weathered them well.  I'm very proud of her!  Her attitude is great!  She is an amazingly strong woman!  I'm blessed by two wonderful children!

2) Jenny and I met the "gentle giant" again this week while she was getting her tests.  He's an amazing man, and I found out his name is Dell.  "Just like the computers, but not the money," is what he told me.  Dell told me that, as a result of his brain surgeries, he had lost 10% of his brain function.  He said he was very depressed about that until his mother told him,  "Why are you whining about that?  You still  have 90% of your brain left!"  He said it changed his life to hear those words.

3) I think I'm catching on to the new Facebook, well, maybe, yes, I think so.  Well, sort of.  Okay.  Yes, I guess so, well, maybe, uh hum, okay.  :)

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Weekly Photo Challenge - Faces

In honor of Pixie cuteness month,
the many faces of Pixie Marie!

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Easy Peasy Tutorial - Making Earrings using Memory Wire! They are Interchangable and the tutorial free!!

This is what they look like.
Now, here's how you make them.
Here's what you need.
These are the tools you need.
You need a pair of round nose pliers and a pair of memory cutters or heavy duty wire cutters.
Do not use your good wire cutters for this project!
You need memory wire.
The best sizes to use are the adult bracelet size for the big hoops and the child's bracelet size for the medium sized hoops.
You need an assortment of beads.  I used my lampwork discs, spacer beads, crystals, and large seed beads.

You will also need 4 silicone ear stoppers.

Here's what you do.
Cut your memory wire so that you have about a quarter inch on each side.
Can you see the extra wire?

On one end of the wire, using your round nose pliers, make a loop.
This is where you will attach the ear wire.
Oh, I forgot to add that to the supplies,
you will also need two ear wires.
This is the fun part.  
I usually add one bead per earring, but you can add more.
See the first picture.
You don't want the earrings to get too heavy.
Add one crystal, one spacer bead, one crystal.
To the end of the open wire, add a silicone earring stopper.  
This will prevent the beads from coming off.
Add the ear wires.  Wear an enjoy.  
When you get tired of those beads, change them!


Tuesday, September 20, 2011

It's so Hard to Believe! It's been 2 years since I first met Miss Pixe Marie! Today's the day we celebrate!

September 20, 2009
That's the day I met and fell in love with 
Miss Pixie Marie.
She came to me as Pixie, and I added the Marie!
So, today, we are celebrating!
This is what we are doing to celebrate!
I couldn't find a single cupcake for Pixie!  So, she gets a piece of cake.


I'm surprised that this piece of cake lasted long enough for me to put it down on Pixie's dish.


Pixie found the cake and she's a little bit wild eyed!


It took less than 30 seconds for Pixie to clean her plate!


And it's GONE!


It's gone and she's happy!
Welcome home, again, to your Furever Home!!!

Monday, September 19, 2011

Lentils I have Known and Ten Cent Shipping for the Holidays!

I have some beautiful lentil beads in my Etsy store.
These focals would look great wire wrapped as pendants.

I love working with bright colors of glass!
I hope to add more lentils within a couple of weeks!
At least, that's my goal.
In the meantime,
I'm offering, on a temporary basis,
10 cent first class shipping in the United States
and
50 cents first class shipping to Canada!
This offer will continue through the holidays,
and,
unless otherwise noted,
will end on December 31, 2011.
Now,
how can you go wrong?
Enjoy what's there!
Thanks for looking!

If you would like to see my entry for the Bead Soup Blog Hop,
be sure to click

Sunday, September 18, 2011

I Heart Macro! At Night

At Night,
when it's time for sleep,
I close my...
 
 Turn out my....

Put my head on my .....

Good night!

Friday, September 16, 2011

Bead Soup Blog Party Reveal - At Last!

The day has come!
Bead Soup Blog Hop and Reveal!
And what a party it has been this year!
My partner, Shirley Moore, is a seed beader.  I am a lampwork bead maker!
I can hardly wait to see what she made with the soup I sent her!
Here's a link to her blog!
Have a look and enjoy!

I'm anxious to get to her blog, so I'll be going there first!
Now, here comes my reveal.
According to the rules,
we can send whatever we want in the way of beads to our partner, but we must include a focal and clasp.
We must use the focal and clasp that was sent to us.
The rest is up to us.
Now, I loved the focal and clasp that Shirley sent to me!
Wow!
And, because of Shirley's generosity, I was able to make 3 pieces of wearable art.
Now, the only thing I wasn't able to use in time for the hop was this beautiful silk scarf that Shirley hand dyed!
Gorgeous!
I am going to use it as soon as I learn how to nuno felt.

Isn't that scarf beautiful?
Note that the pendant and the clasp that Shirley sent me are featured with that amazing scarf!
So, are you ready for the reveal?
Here goes!

Isn't this set gorgeous?
The crystal focal really makes this piece!
I used the pearls, memory wire, and other components to make the necklace and earrings.
You won't see the clasp here because I didn't use it in this piece.
Now, on to the next Bead Soup mix.
You'll see the other focal that Shirley sent me in this piece.  You'll also see the clasp, but I didn't use it as a clasp.  As soon as I saw the toggle, I realized that the the two beaded pieces of the toggle were beautiful beaded beads.  Guess what, they are included in the charms I used in this necklace. 
I absolutely love it!
I made a lucet cord for the back of this necklace, and it hangs beautifully.
Thank you, Shirley!
You challenged me.  I hope that you like what I did with your Soup!
Thanks, Lori, for hosting this party!

Now, off you go!  Check out the other blogs in the party!
I'm sure we'll run into each other at one party or another!
Have fun!
This was fun!
Click on each name to go to their blogs.
These are the partner pairs.

The Hostess, Lori Anderson and her partner, Manuela Wutschke

1. Aimee Wheaton and Barbara York
2. Alice Craddick and Sandra Richardson
3. Alison Sachs and Amy Severino
4. Allison Scott and Cynthia Abner
5. Amanda Cargill Austin and Charlene Sevier
6. Amanda Davie and Patsy Evins
7. Amber Dawn and Kim Ballor
8. Ambra Gostoli and Christine Hansen
9. Amy Freeland and Christine Altmiller
10. Ana Krepel-Novak and Eleanor Snare


11. Andrea Morici and Hope Smitherman
12. Andrea Trank and Jayne Capps
13. Andrea Turini and Charlene Jacka
14. Angela May and Emanda Johnson
15. Anitra Gordy and Elizabeth Owens Dwy
16. Ann Rishell and Debbie Price
17. Ann Sherwood and Lynne Bowland
18. Anna Lear and Barbe Saint John
19. Anna Sabina­­­­ and Erin Siegel
19. Nan Emmett and Erin Siegel
20. Astrid Boyce and Birgitta Lejonklou


21. B.R. Kuhlman and Deanna Chase
22. Barbara Bechtel and Bryna Lumb
23. Barbara Blaszczyk and DaviniaDesign
24. Barbara Judy and Holly Westfall
25. Barbara Lewis and Cathie Carroll
26. Barrie Edwards and Lyn Foley
27. Becky Fairclough and Jana Tarhala
28. Bella Borgouise and Gillian Lehman
29. Beth and Evie McCord and Erin Prais-Hintz
30. Beth Bricker and Heather Pyle


31. Beth Emery and Cassie Donlen
32. Bobbie Rafferty and Cindy Cima Edwards
33. Candice McGinnis and Sally Anderson
34. Carol Bradley and Cece Cormier
35. Cathy Khoury and Molly Alexander
36. Carol Tannahill and Hilary Frye
37. Carrie Tahquechi and Cris Peacock
38. Cat Pruitt and Cindy Gimbrone
39. Charlene Gary and Doris Stumpf
40. Charlotte Pevny and Kate Gardenghi


41. Cherrie Fickand Cathie Carroll
41. Claire Maunsell and Cherrie Fick
42. Cheryl Roe and Jenny Vidberg
43. Chris White and Norma Turvey
44. Christa Murphy and Kathy Alderfer
45. Christie Murrow and Dana James
46. Christina Miles and Collette Collins
47. Christine Brandel and Elizabeth Woodford
48. Christine Damm and Cynthia Deis
49. Christine Hendrickson and Debbie Goering
50. Christine Stonefield and Dee Wingrove-Smith


51. Cilla Watkins and Johanna Rhodes
52. Cindy Wimmer and Riki Schumacher
53. CJ Baushka and Cory Celaya
54. Courtney Breul and Joanna Matuszczyk
55. Cristi Clothier and Kathleen Robinson Young
56. Cryss Thain and Serena Trent
57. Cynthia Tucker and Kitty Durmaj
58. Dana Johnson Jones and Eva Sherman
59. Davinia Algeri and Janet McDonald
60. Deci Worland and Lara Lutrick


61. Diana Ptaszynski and Kristy Abner
62. Diane Cook and Kerry Bogert
63. Diane Hawkey and Jen Judd Velasquez
64. Dorcas Midkiff and Jill Harris
65. Doris Radlicki and Heather Goldsmith
66. Dot Lewallen and Gaea Cannaday
67. Elisabeth Auld and Jennifer Justman
68. Erin Fickert-Rowland and Geanina Grigore
69. Erin Grant and Julie Jones
70. Eszter Czibulyas and Helena Fritz


71. Fiona Christie and Michelle Heim
72. Gail Zwang and Genea Crivello-Knable
73. Geneva Collins and Jana Haag
74. Gretchen Nation and Heidi Post
75. Heather DeSimone and Karin Slaton
76. Heather Marley and Terry Carter
77. Ingrid McCue and Jennifer Pride
78. Jackie Ryan and Nicole Keller
79. Janna Harttgen and Joanne Tinley
80. Jean Yates and Lori Anderson


81. Jelveh Jaferian and Jenny Davies-Reazor
82. Jenni Connolly and Jennifer Heynen
83. Jennifer Cameron and Kristi Bowman
84. Jennifer Geldard and Lisa Liddy
85. Jennifer VanBenschoten and Kim Hora
86. Jess Italia Lincoln and Lori Greenberg
87. Jill MacKay and Lori Bergmann
88. JJ Jacobs and Karen Tremblay
89. Joyce Becker and Kathy Welsh
90. Judy Glende and Karen Sinkowski


91. Judy Riley and Kelly Morgan
92. JuLee Wolfe and Julie Bean
93. Julianna Cannon and Julianna Kis
94. Julie Nordine and Lesley Watt
95. K. Hutchinson and Shea Zukowski
96. Karen Firnberg and Karyn Bonfiglio
97. Karen Williams and Kimberly Roberts
98. Karen Zanco and Polly Barker
99. Kari Carrigan and Laura Twiford
100. Karin von Hoeren and Laura Blanck


101. Kate Richbourg and Lorelei Eurto
102. Kathleen Lange Klik and Maria Clark
103. Kathy Engstrom and Keri Lee Sereika
104. Kay Thomerson and Loretta Carstensen
105. Kelley Fogle and Laurel Bielec
106. Kelly Ramstack and Sally Anderson
107. Kim Stevens and Tiffany Long
108. Kristi Harrison and Mandy Williamson
109. Kristi Kyle and Lana Kinney
110. Kristina Johansson and Sue Hodgkinson


111. Kym Hunter and Laura Sanger
112. Laura Zeiner and Susan Kennedy
113. Laurel Steven and Mary McGraw
114. Laurie Hanna and Lisa Boucher
115. Lesley Weir and Liz DeLuca
116. Linda Djokic and Tracey Weiser
117. Linda Inhelder and Pam Brisse
118. Linda Landig and Lori Dorrington
119. Linda Murphy and Lisa Hamilton
119. Line Labrecque and Marianne Baxter
120. Lisa Lodge and Monica Johnson


121. Lois Moon and Melissa Muir
122. Lola Surwillo and Therese Frank
123. Lori Bowring Michaud and Marci Brooks
124. Lupe Meter and Norma Agron
125. Maggie Towne and Marge Beebe
126. Malin de Koning and Susie Hibdon
127. Mallory Hoffman and Shirley Moore
128. Marcie Abney and Patty Miller
129. Marcy Lamberson and Melissa Clarke
130. Margot Potter and Suzann Sladcik Wilson


131. Maria Grimes and Wendy Blum
132. Maria Horvath and Melinda Orr
133. Maria Rosa Sharrow and Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp
134. Marian Hertzog and Melissa Mesara
135. Marianna Boylan and Sandi Lee James
136. Marina Dobrynina and Michaela Pabeschitz
137. Marsha Neal and Miri Agassi
138. Mary Ellen Parker and Melissa Meman
139. Mary Elliott and Tamara Soper
140. Mary Hicks and Laurel Steven


141. Melissa Pynn and Michelle Buettner
142. Michelle Hardy and Niki Meiners
143. Michelle Mach and Moira McEvoy
144. Missy Rappaport and Norma Agron
145. Molly Alexander and Poranna
146. Mylene Hillam and Nicole Rennell
147. Nadezhda Parfyonova and Stacey Curry
148. Nan Emmett and Nancy Peterson
149. Nancy Boylan and Natalie McKenna
150. Natalie Monkivitch and Niky Sayers


151. Natasha Lutes and Pam Ferrari
152. Noemi Baena and Penny Ilagan
153. Pamela Petry and Rebecca Sirevaag
154. Pat Haight and Mary McGraw
155. Patty Gasparino and Vonna Maslanka
156. Penny Neville and Sandi Volpe
157. Pepita Bos and Wendy Chamberlain
158. Raida Disbrow and Rebecca Watkins
159. Rebecca Anderson and Sabrina Staub
160. Regina Santerre and Rose Binoya


161. Rhea Freitag and Tari Kahrs
162. Rochelle Brisson and Sheryl Stephen
163. Sally Russick and Tracy Bell
164. Sandra McGriff and Shay Williams
165. Sandra Wolberg and Sara Hardin
166. Sarah Elder and Salla Small
167. Saskia Kaffenberger and Sharon Gardner
168. Sharon Palac and Shannon Chomanczuk
169. Shay Stone and Suzette Bentley
170. Shiraz Biggie and Tammy Powley


171. Staci Smith and Tracy Stillman
172. Stacie Stamper and Tracy Martin
173. Stefanie Teufel and Vicky Taylor
174. Stephanie Dixon and Stephanie LaRosa
175. Stephanie Haussler and Valerie Norton
176. Suzanne Tate and Terri Wlaschin
177. Sweet Freedom Designs and Tammy Jones
178. Tania Spivey and Tari Sasser
179. Tara Plote and Terry Matuszyk
180. Terri Gauthier and Deana Hager
181. Theresa Fosdick and Tracey Nanstad